Common Name: RADFORD S SEDGE Scientific Name: Carex radfordii L.L. Gaddy Other Commonly Used Names: none Previously Used Scientific Names: none Family: Cyperaceae (sedge) Rarity Ranks: G2/S1?
State Legal Status: Threatened Federal Legal Status: none Federal Wetland Status: none Description: Perennial, grass-like, robust herb forming dense clumps. Flowering stems 11-24 inches (28-61 cm) tall, erect, solid, triangular in cross-section, usually 1½ times longer than the basal leaves. Leaf blades 11-23 inches long, ¼ - ½ inch wide (28-59 cm long, 5-10 mm wide), mostly basal; blue-green with a whitish, waxy coating on the lower surface, smooth except for tiny teeth on the lower midvein; the lower part of the leaves is pale green with darker green stripes; a small, tan sheath, up to 1¼ inches (3.2 cm) long, partly encloses the bottom of the stem (it looks like a small, withered leaf). Male flower spike ½ - 1½ inch (1.2-4 cm) long, solitary, on a stalk up to 4⅓ inches (0.4-11 cm) long at the top of the plant. Female flower spikes up to 1¾ inch (1.4-4.5 cm) long, 3-5 spikes per stem, held below the male-flowered spike on the same stem; each female flower spike with 3-10 loosely overlapping fruits and scales; scales have a long, spike-like bristle between two transparent wings, which are variable in shape, often asymmetrical. Fruit body about ⅛ inch (1.2-2.8 mm) long, tightly enclosed in a 3- sided, strongly veined sac (perigynium). Magnification of 10x is needed to examine the spikes and fruits. Similar Species: Several species of Carex (especially C. laxiflora, C. manhartii, C. purpurifera, and C. striatula) resemble Radford s sedge, which is distinguished by the combination of blue-green leaves with waxy undersides, green-striped leaf bases, tan sheath at the base of the stem, and the oddly shaped scales with very long bristle-tips on the femaleflowered spikes. Related Rare Species: Nearly 40 species of Carex are protected or of Special Concern in Georgia. Detailed information about 7 of these Carex species is provided on this website: Baltzell s sedge (C. baltzellii), granite dome sedge (C. biltmoreana), velvet sedge (C. dasycarpa), impressed-nerve sedge (C. impressinervia), wretched sedge (C. misera), Radford s sedge (C. radfordii), and Roan Mountain sedge (C. roanensis). Habitat: Moist, rich hardwood forests with soils high in calcium and magnesium, along the Brevard Belt of metasedimentary rock that follows the Blue Ridge escarpment at the transition between the Blue Ridge and Piedmont. Life History: Radford s sedge, like most sedges, is wind-pollinated. Nothing is known about seed dispersal or other aspects of reproduction for this species for this species. Survey Recommendations: Surveys are best conducted during fruiting (late April mid-june). Range: Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Threats: Clearing, logging, and development of habitat; horse and off-road-vehicle traffic; exotic pests such as wild hogs and invasive plant species. Georgia Conservation Status: One population is known in Georgia, it occurs in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Conservation and Management Recommendations: Protect rich hardwood forests from development, logging, and clearing. Eradicate exotic pest plants and animals such as wild hogs. In the vicinity of the plants, limit recreation to foot travel only; exclude horses and motorized vehicles. Selected References: FNA. 2003. Flora of North America. Vol. 23, Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part), Cyperaceae (part 1). Oxford University Press, New York. Gaddy, L.L. 1995. Carex radfordii (Section Laxiflorae: Cyperaceae), a new species from the southern Appalachians. Novon 5: 59-261. NatureServe. 2007. NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer Weakley, A.S. 2007. Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. University of North Carolina Herbarium, Chapel Hill. Author of species account: Linda G. Chafin Date Compiled or Updated: L. Chafin, Oct. 2007: original account K. Owers, Jan. 2010: updated status and ranks, added pictures
Leaf base with large ligule
Striped leaf base
Pistillate scale with wings and awn
Tan and white striped sheath at base of culm